The AA Preamble – contd

Here it is: 

“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

(our emphasis)

You'll note reference is made above to “a” fellowship of “men and women”. This suggests that AA consists of 'one' body consisting of two subcategories but with both amalgamated ie. 'and' – and that there is no suggestion of segregation on any basis in AA, no division according to gender, colour, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age (except see following), religious (or non-religious) adherence, economic group, political inclination etc etc. The 'only' requirement for AA membership is 'a desire to stop drinking'. Therefore those groups which impose (either directly or by implication) any further attendance (and therefore membership) requirements are in breach of Traditions One, Three, Four, Five and Ten. Men only, women only, straight, gay, 'newcomers', 'oldtimers' etc meetings are all included within this category of 'exclusivity' (notwithstanding the transparent fiction to the contrary appended to some of these group listings in various Where to Finds). Moreover meetings which use any form of prayer associated with a particular religion are similarly to be judged ie. the use of the Lord's prayer (Christian) at the end or beginning of a meeting. These too are in breach of AA's traditions.

The defence is sometimes raised that the membership requirement refers to AA generally and not to specific groups. But if a group opens with the above preamble it is reasonable to suppose that they endorse the traditions it contains and intend to abide by them. If not it may be that either they have given insufficient thought to the implications of what they are claiming (ie. the preamble is merely a ritual incantation) or they are hypocrites. Either way it is their responsibility to ensure otherwise. On the other hand if the group does not employ the usual introduction but has framed its own (which it is entirely free to do) then the question arises why? And to what end? It may be that the group (and the meeting) has nothing to do with AA although it advertises itself as such. Similarly some groups claim their right to autonomy according to Tradition Four (see above) but they omit to mention the second qualifying clause of that statement ie. autonomy “except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole”. This tradition does not imply completely unfettered latitude of action but proposes the need for consultation. Moreover it does not exclude “other groups or AA as a whole” from concluding that a rogue group should be removed from AA directories and its members excluded from service within the fellowship. Incidentally neither of these latter courses of action implies denial of individual membership of AA. That remains unchanged.

Moreover the terms 'men and women' suggest that the membership is made up of adults only. Although the membership requirement is stated explicitly these terms imply a qualification. AA, therefore, is not a place for minors (either as members or as visitors). It is our view that children should not be present in AA meetings for any reason, both for their welfare and out of consideration for others present. Members may wish to talk candidly about things that concern them but feel constrained because of the presence of children and the possible trauma it might cause them. Other arrangements need to be made for their care for the duration of the meeting. Any such provision, where it needs to be funded, should not be derived from AA treasuries but from entirely separate sources.

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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